Congressman plans law to end killer whale captivity

Nov. 6, 2015

Updated 1:30 p.m.

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This file photo released by SeaWorld San Diego on Dec. 30, 2004, shows killer whale Kasatka, left, and her calf, who was born Dec. 21, 2004, at SeaWorld in San Diego. A California congressman announced Friday that he is planning federal legislation that aims to phase out the captivity of killer whales. MIKE AUGILERA , THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Shouka, a 10-year-old female killer whale (Orca), is comforted by her trainers after she was lowered by sling and crane into her new home at Six Flags-Marine World right before midnight on April 19, 2004 in Vallejo, Calif. A California congressman announced Friday that he is planning federal legislation that aims to phase out the captivity of killer whales. DINO VOURNAS , PRN NEWS FOTO

This file photo released by SeaWorld San Diego on Dec. 30, 2004, shows killer whale Kasatka, left, and her calf, who was born Dec. 21, 2004, at SeaWorld in San Diego. A California congressman announced Friday that he is planning federal legislation that aims to phase out the captivity of killer whales. MIKE AUGILERA , THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SAN DIEGO – A California congressman announced Friday that he is planning federal legislation that aims to phase out the captivity of killer whales by banning breeding, importing and exporting the animals for public display.

Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff said he will introduce the Orca Responsibility and Care Advancement Act to ensure that orcas now at aquatic parks such as SeaWorld are the last ones and that when they die, no other whales will replace them.

The bill also would ban taking any whales from the wild. Although no orca has been captured in U.S. waters since 1976, Schiff says captive killer whales are bred.

He argues that keeping the animals in captivity is cruel.

“The evidence is very strong that the psychological and physical harm done to these magnificent animals far outweighs any benefits reaped from their display,” Schiff said at a news conference in Santa Monica.

SeaWorld says its whales are thriving and the parks foster understanding of the animals.

“While efforts to phase out whales in human care may strike an emotional chord, SeaWorld and other science-based organizations are part of the solution, not the problem,” Jill Kermes, a spokeswoman for SeaWorld Entertainment, said in a statement.

Last month, the California Coastal Commission endorsed a $100 million expansion of the tanks SeaWorld uses to hold orcas in San Diego but included conditions, including a ban on breeding and prohibitions on the sale, trade or transfer of the whales.

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